Fine Gael today pledged to change the income qualifications for medical cards to give 100,000 more familes free health care if elected to serve in Government.
The party also vowed to provide free GP visits to under-5s and free health insurance for under-16s.
The proposals are contained in the party's New Deal for Children policy document aimed at improving the health of the State's children.
Party leader Enda Kenny said early detection and treatment of chronic conditions, dealing speedily with childhood illnesses, and effective health screening, are cost-effective and "a valuable foundation for a healthy future for all our children."
Rolling out a free health check or screening for children when they start school and when the move to secondary education was part of the party's plan, he said.
"The key principle of our policy for child health is that all children must have timely and appropriate access to necessary care whatever the financial status of their families. We must remove the barriers which prevent families accessing GP care for their children," Mr Kenny added.